Murphy’s morph into Bar Civita was most welcome in Woodley Park. One step into the space and you’ll feel like you’re in a well-worn European bar that’s been welcoming locals for decades. The dark wood, fireplace and vintage tap heads do most of the work adding character to the place—the heart of which is 20-seat bar. “If I wanted to run away from the world, this bar is where I’d be,” Chef/Owner Liam Civita tells us. The chef who you know from Liberty Tavern put together a menu with familiar, comforting dishes with a twist like Ziti a la Vodka, a NY strip, and roast chicken, plus a really sexy charcuterie board. Pay close attention to the reasonably priced wine list divided into cutesy categories.

Bar Civita

LAURA HAYES/THRILLIST

Murphy’s morph into Bar Civita was most welcome in Woodley Park. One step into the space and you’ll feel like you’re in a well-worn European bar that’s been welcoming locals for decades. The dark wood, fireplace and vintage tap heads do most of the work adding character to the place—the heart of which is 20-seat bar. “If I wanted to run away from the world, this bar is where I’d be,” Chef/Owner Liam Civita tells us. The chef who you know from Liberty Tavern put together a menu with familiar, comforting dishes with a twist like Ziti a la Vodka, a NY strip, and roast chicken, plus a really sexy charcuterie board. Pay close attention to the reasonably priced wine list divided into cutesy categories.